The Sixth | Ekko

Chapter Sixty-Eight

When he saw her again, sitting on the same water tower that he used his z-drive to save her life—the same place they fell from to the depths of the caves that changed their relationship forever—he felt the rhythm of his heart start to skip in his chest, accompanying the flutter in his stomach.

Her vibrant hair swam in the breeze, while her focus was set on something in her hand.

He sped towards her, so fast that he lost control of his board.

He slammed into her, and they slid against the ledge of the water tower until her back hit the water storage chamber.

Then, everything slowed to a still.

Their breaths mingled, heating each other's faces that were cold from the surrounding dampness in the atmosphere.

Ekko fastened his hold on Momo when he felt her body tense up underneath him. He sat atop her, his knees holding most of his weight up from either side of her thighs.

Six locked up, her teeth grinding and her bones growing stiff.

Too close.

He was too close.

His scent was everywhere.

It made her want to throw up.

"Get. Off."

She viewed up at him, her burn mark starting to heat up as she prepared to throw him off her.

Ekko's eyes circled her face, pausing on her lips before dragging their way back to hers. Finally, after countless hours scouring the city for her, he had her in his arms. Despite her lethal gaze, he couldn't help but want things to go back to how they once were. How they were supposed to be.

In love.

In each other's arms.

Warm under the covers.

Where he could listen to her soft giggles. Witness her abrupt energy spurts that led to her trying to tickle him, but ultimately fail.

Embrace her.

Kiss her.

Make love to her.

"I need you to give me a chance to explain," he said, his fingers inching closer to her neck, desperate to feel her skin. He noticed the growing light coming from the side of her neck, and despite not knowing what she was capable of, he knew she was about to try and break free of him.

His arms were around her less than a second later, pulling her tight to his chest while he tucked his face into her hair. "Please," he murmured, his voice cracking in desperation.

Her burn mark began to flicker, his request and actions causing her intentions to sway with confusion.

"Why... Why should I?" She bit the inside of her bottom lip, trying to prevent it from trembling, even though he wasn't able to see it in this position.

She was tired of this.

Their collisions that always brought agonizing memories to the surface.

She hated him.

But she had once loved him.

Until he betrayed her.

And now, it was her body that was betraying her.

Sinking into his touch as if it were a hot bath, fulfilling the longing she had worked so diligently in burying.

The tips of his fingers brushed the corners of her neck and shoulders. It was incredibly light, the pressure just enough to make itself known, but not to startle.